Philly cops seeking man, woman in abduction of 5-year-old

Capt. John Darby of the Philadelphia Police Department speaks during a news conference Wednesday in Philadelphia. Darby discussed the abduction of a 5-year-old girl from her elementary school and who was found early Tuesday morning at a playground just outside the city. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA — Police are looking for at least two suspectsin connection with the abduction of a 5-year-old girl from her West Philadelphia school Monday.

Officials held a press conference Wednesday to update the investigation and provide a description of a man thought to be involved in the abduction.

They said he is in his mid-30s with light skin, possibly white, with short brown hair.

The missing child was found early Tuesday morning at a playground in Upper Darby by a man who was on his way to work in Montgomery County.

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The male suspect was inside a home where the child was taken by the woman who took her out of the school, police said.

The Philadelphia Special Victims Unit announced during a press conference Wednesday that they are searching for the man and a woman they believe had something to do with the crime.

The other suspect is the woman who went to Cullen Byrant Elementary on 60th and Cedar Avenue and signed the kindergartner out of school around 8:50 a.m. on Monday.

The woman told school employees she was the 5-year-old’s mother and that she was taking her daughter to breakfast, officials previously said.

Authorities described the female suspect as a dark-skinned black woman in her 20s, standing 5-foot-8, wearing Muslim garb, who may have been pregnant. They also believe she has green or light eyes and may go by the name “Rashida.”

Authorities say the woman walked with the girl a few blocks to a home where the girl was blindfolded and forced to hide under a bed.

Police are canvassing the area looking for information.

They say that the suspect and victim walked away from the school and met with a man several blocks away at a nearby home.

That man, police Capt. John Darby said, is now a suspect.He was last seen wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved, blue T-shirt. Police also say there may have been other adults involved.

Authorities believe the child was taken to a home not far from the school. They have narrowed the area down to a four-block radius with the school being the central point. That area is Spruce to Christian Street and 56th Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway. They are now going door to door with a description of the alleged abductors.

While in captivity, the victim was blindfolded and told to undress, according to police. She was given an adult T-shirt and at one point, was made to hide underneath a bed, Darby announced in Tuesday’s press release.

Police feel the victim was targeted and say she was asked for by name at the school.

The girl, who was found on a 69th Street playground by Good Samaritan Nelson Mandela Myers early Tuesday morning, was missing for less than 24 hours.

“Based on the evidence given to us, this little girl suffered conditions that no child should endure,” said Darby during Wednesday’s press conference.

“She’s traumatized,” said the victim’s grandfather, Asim Abdur-Rashid. “She’s 5 years old and she’s been out all night. She’s been away from her mother, sisters and brothers and she’s traumatized.”

The Fraternal Order of Police is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Citizens Crime Commission is offering an additional $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.